Forms a secure attachment, and in turn, enhances their social and emotional development
Creating a strong attachment between you and your child is essential for your baby’s social and emotional development. The act of giving your baby that one-on-one time shows them how important they are to you. Bonding with your baby creates a secure and healthy attachment making your baby feel safe, loved and valued. In addition, by massaging your baby, you stimulate the release of oxytocin in your and your baby’s body. This facilitates attachment and bonding, promoting a deeper emotional connection between parent and child.
Relaxation and self-regulation, meaning less crying and fussing with longer deeper sleeps
Massage can help your baby to relax. During the massage they will release Serotonin & Oxytocin. These hormones induce feelings of optimism; build self-esteem and trust, and relieve pain, leading to a happier and more content baby. Thus, less crying and fussing with longer and deeper sleeps and a happy parent too!
Enhance their immune system and improves circulation
Regular massage can enhance the immune system. Massage stimulates circulation and also the lymphatic system, aiding lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system and a vital part of the immune system, helping to rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. Massage has also been found to increase the number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) which play a large role in defending the body from disease. Improvements in the circulation of blood also help to nourish the whole body and vital organs.
Enhance neurological development
Massaging your baby across their whole body stimulates the nervous system, enhancing neurological development by promoting the growth of myelin. This substance surrounds nerve cells which increases the speed and efficiency of their function.
Weight gain particularly for pre-term babies
Research shows that massage is particularly beneficial for premature babies. Premature babies who are massaged regularly, and particularly when using oil, have shown to have improved rate of weight gain and a shorter time in hospital.
Touch, especially massage, stimulates a key nerve called the Vagus Nerve, which connects the brain with important parts of the body. Stimulation of this nerve increases the level of growth hormone and cellular enzymes that promote the growth of your child. This nerve is also responsible for keeping the digestive tract in working order, improving digestion and bowel movement and in turn aiding weight gain. This is also why babies tend to be hungry after a massage!
Relieves digestive discomfort – gas, constipation, reflux
One of the most common massage techniques that parents are eager to learn is tummy massage to help with their baby’s digestive discomfort. Massaging the stomach can help to move the milk and any wind down the intestines. This eases the pain and improves constipation and cramping. It can also soothe the muscles and nerves in the area of the massage, and can bring comfort to the organs that are connected to the stomach and gastrointestinal tract.
Improves pain management – helping teething, digestive and growing pains
Massage is a great tool to help with pain in many ways. It can increase blood flow to painful joints and muscles, which are warmed by the extra circulation. Research has found that massage triggers the release of natural painkillers in the brain. Also, the release of the ‘feel good’ hormone Oxytocin helps to relax the muscles and encourage feelings of calmness and contentment.
Furthermore, the firm pressure of massage can help your baby to feel less pain due to the Gate Theory. This is where the pressure impulse reaches the brain faster than the pain impulse and shuts the nerve gate to the central nervous system so less pain is felt. For example, this is why we rub or hold our toe when we stub it – it helps us feel less pain.
Enhance their cognitive, speech and language development
Baby massage often incorporates signing nursery rhymes – we certainly do here at bambino&i! This helps with your baby’s cognitive, speech and language development. Click here to find the words to the nursery rhymes that you will use during your baby massage course.
Helps you to understand your baby better, making you a more confident parent
Taking the time to massage your baby provides a wonderful opportunity for uninterrupted one-on-one time. This gives you an opportunity to get to know and understand your baby and their body better. Having the opportunity to observe your baby’s behaviour, their cry and their body language, allows you to learn their cues and how to respond to them, ultimately leading to a more content baby. This in itself will make you feel more confident and empowered.
Helps you to feel relaxed and happy
The loving gaze between a parent and baby, and the simple connection with your baby through touch, releases Oxytocin and Serotonin.
Both Oxytocin, known as the ‘love hormone’ and Serotonin, an important chemical neurotransmitter, help you to feel good, more relaxed and able to fight off the ‘baby blues’. Oxytocin plays a crucial role in bonding and social interaction. It can act as an antidote to depressive feelings. Research has shown that baby massage can help mums who suffer from Post Natal Depression and improve their interactions with baby. For mums, it also helps with milk release during breastfeeding and can even be passed through the mother’s milk to baby!
Helps you to create a strong bond and attachment with your baby
Baby massage provides all of the elements essential for parent-baby bonding and attachment. In addition to the release of that all-important oxytocin hormone, it provides an opportunity for eye-to-eye contact, for them to feel your touch, your voice, your smell and also gives you time to understand your baby. This will allow you to respond to their needs more quickly, making them feel secure and loved. With touch being your newborns first language, it plays an essential role in forming early parent-child relationships. Furthermore, the act of giving your baby that one-on-one time shows them how important they are to you and they are loved, valued and respected.
Helps Dad bond with baby
Baby massage is a great way for dads to bond with baby. In the early days, dads can often feel side-lined, particularly if they are out at work all day, or baby is breast-feeding. Dads tend to enjoy baby massage as it provides a structured activity for them to follow, giving them an opportunity to interact and bond with baby. Dads also tend to be very good at baby massage as they have a firmer grip!
Research has shown that regular baby massage has a positive impact on dads and their interactions with baby, and helps them to develop a more positive view of their children. This can result in dads feeling more self-confident and competent in fathering. It has also been seen that shortly after dad’s involvement in baby massage, baby’s mood and behaviour is more positive and baby’s attachment to dad increases.
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